Based on Luke 6:20-26

Today’s Gospel is one of the most well-known in the Bible: the Beatitudes – Jesus’ list of blessings for those who live according to God’s ways. But this passage also comes with some warnings, what we call the “woes.” So, as we look at this reading from Luke 6:20-26, we’ll reflect on what it means to be truly blessed in God’s eyes and how to live in a way that reflects His love.

First, let’s take a moment to understand what “blessed” means. In the Gospel, when Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours,” He isn’t just talking about being happy or rich in a material sense. He’s talking about a deeper blessing, the kind that comes from living according to God’s values, not the world’s.

In this passage, Jesus flips everything upside down. In the world, we might think that the rich, the famous or the successful are the most blessed. We’re often taught that having the best clothes, the latest gadgets or the most friends makes us successful. But Jesus says, “No, the blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who are hated for doing what’s right.”

What does this mean for you, Year 8? Well, Jesus is inviting you to look at life from a different perspective. The world tells us that we should always want more: more money, more popularity, more stuff, but Jesus says, “Blessed are you when you have humility, when you care about others, when you choose kindness over power and love over greed.”

Jesus isn’t saying that being poor or hungry is good in itself. What He’s saying is that when we don’t rely on material things to give us happiness and value; and when we turn to God, we discover a greater kind of blessing: the blessing of peace, joy and a heart that loves.

Now, Jesus also talks about woes: warnings to those who are too caught up in things that don’t really matter. He says, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.”

These “woes” aren’t about having money or food but about letting those things take the place of what really matters – things like love, kindness and generosity. If we’re too focused on the material things of the world – whether that’s always wanting more stuff or trying to make ourselves look better than others, we miss out on the deeper blessings that come from living like Jesus.

So, what does all of this mean for you as Year 8 students at Chisholm Catholic College? How can you live out these teachings of Jesus in your daily lives?

1. Don’t be afraid to be different: Sometimes, following Jesus means doing things that are countercultural. It might mean not joining in with bullying or gossip. It might mean choosing kindness over competition. It might mean standing up for someone who’s being treated unfairly. Be brave enough to be kind because that’s what Jesus calls you to do.
2. Value people over things: Jesus teaches us that true happiness doesn’t come from having the latest phone or the coolest clothes. It comes from having a good heart, from loving others and from serving those in need. So, ask yourself: How can I be a better friend? How can I help others? How can I make a difference in my school or community by being a person who cares?
3. Remember what really matters: At the end of the day, it’s not about what you own, how many likes you get or how many followers you have. It’s about how you treat people, how you live your life with honesty, kindness and faith. Jesus is calling you to follow Him in a way that’s about serving others, not about trying to climb over them to get ahead.

In a world that sometimes tells us to look out for ourselves first, Jesus turns everything upside down and shows us the way to true greatness: loving others and serving them with all our hearts.

Let’s pray that we have the courage to live out these values every day – at school, at home and in the wider world. And let’s ask Jesus to help us be the kind of people who bring His love into the world, one small act of kindness at a time.

Fr Ziggy Wloczek
College Chaplain